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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy<\/strong> began his five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy on October 21, 2025. In light of his imprisonment, Life & Style<\/em> breaks down everything to know about who Sarkozy is and why he was arrested.<\/p>\n Who Is Nicolas Sarkozy?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sarkozy is a French politician who served as the President of France from 2007 to 2012.<\/p>\n Running as a conservative, Sarkozy beat Socialist candidate S\u00e9gol\u00e8ne Royal<\/strong> in the election\u2019s second-round run-off, according to the Associated Press<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n During his term, he dealt with the 2008 U.S. financial system crisis that impacted the global economy. Sarkozy ran for reelection in 2012, though ended up losing to Socialist candidate Fran\u00e7ois Hollande<\/strong>.<\/p>\n What Is \u2018Group 7\u2019? The Viral TikTok Everyone\u2019s Referencing, Explained<\/a><\/p>\n Sarkozy is a polarizing figure in the French political landscape, and his outspoken admiration for money earned him the nickname \u201cPresident Bling-Bling,\u201d per the Associated Press<\/em>.<\/p>\n He faced backlash when he infamously celebrated his 2007 election victory with rich friends at the Brasserie Fouquet\u2019s on the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es, while their extravagant celebration continued by being jetted off to holiday aboard a billionaire industrialist\u2019s yacht.<\/p>\n Is Nicolas Sarkozy Married?<\/strong><\/p>\n Sarkozy was married to Elys\u00e9e Palace when he began his term as president, though the couple divorced within a year and he sparked romance rumors with supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni just weeks later.<\/p>\n He and Bruni later wed in 2008, and they are still together today.<\/p>\n Why Was Nicolas Sarkozy Arrested?<\/strong><\/p>\n In September 2025, Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in jail for criminal conspiracy, according to CNN<\/a><\/em>. He was found guilty for his involvement in a scheme to finance his 2007 presidential\u202fcampaign with funds\u202ffrom Libya, which the North Africa country agreed to in exchange for diplomatic favors.<\/p>\n Sarkozy appealed his conviction, though he is expected to remain in solitary confinement or in the \u201cVIP wing\u201d of La Sant\u00e9 prison complex for the time being. The wing is typically reserved for high-profile prisoners who are facing fears for their safety, according to the outlet.<\/p>\n Additionally, Sarkozy\u2019s legal team requested he be granted an early release from jail, according to CNN<\/em>. The court must decide whether or not they will grant the request within the next two months.<\/p>\n Nicolas Sarkozy Has Insisted He\u2019s Innocent<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite reporting to prison, Sarkozy has insisted that he\u2019s innocent of the crime he\u2019s been accused of.<\/p>\n From Costars to Lovers! Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames\u2019 Rumored Relationship Timeline<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs I prepare to step inside the walls of La Sant\u00e9 prison, my thoughts go out to the French people of all walks of life and opinions,\u201d he wrote via X<\/a> on October 21, 2025, which has been translated from French to English. \u201cI want to tell them with my unwavering strength that it\u2019s not a former president of the Republic being locked up this morning, it\u2019s an innocent man.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that he will \u201ccontinue to denounce this judicial scandal,\u201d though said he is \u201cnot to be pitied because my wife and children are by my side, and my friends are countless.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n